National Update on the Caru Team Activity
The hard work for our Caru Team never stops! As always, we are out educating and advocating for compassionate end-of-life and bereavement care in nursing homes, and we thank any members of staff who have welcomed us with open and warm hearts.
First Caru Regional Network of 2025
We held our first Caru Regional Network of 2025 on the 21st of May. The primary focus of this year’s Regional Network was Advance Care Planning.
The event was held in Ballinasloe and attracted staff working in nursing homes, and Older Persons Services from across the west, northwest and midlands.
Speaking at the event were the Decision Support Service, the National Office of Human Rights, the Health Information and Quality Authority, and the Clinical Programme for Palliative Care.
The event successfully initiated conversations about advance care planning, highlighting strategies that will support staff in their ongoing delivery of person-centred care to the resident leading to excellence in palliative and end-of-life care.
World Congress of the European Association of Palliative Care
In May, our Director of Healthcare, Siobhan Murphy, attended the World Congress of the European Association of Palliative Care that took place in Helsinki, Finland. Siobhan successfully submitted a poster which detailed the current UCD evaluation of the Caru Programme. The poster was entitled “Baseline Evaluation of the Caru Programme: A National Programme Supporting Palliative, End-of-Life and Bereavement Care in Nursing Homes in Ireland”. The event was attended by experts in palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care from all over the world and created significant global exposure for the Caru Programme.
Dementia Café Launch in Sunhill Nursing Home
In CHO8, Regional Lead, Sharon O’Brien was invited to attend the launch of Dementia Café in Sunhill Nursing Home, Termonfeckin, on Friday, March 7th where she presented to a large contingent of residents, staff, and families on Think Ahead and the importance of advance care planning.
Strengthening Connections: Caru Meets Marymount Hospice
Janet Tobin Martin, Regional Lead for CHO5, was delighted to collaborate with fellow Regional Lead, Mark Murphy (CHO4) in delivering a joint presentation to the specialist palliative care team at Marymount Hospice, Cork.
The morning offered a valuable opportunity to introduce the Caru Programme, share experiences, and reflect on the importance of integrated working across sectors. The session highlighted the power of collaboration in supporting high-quality, compassionate palliative, end-of-life, and bereavement care for residents and their families.
In early June, Janet was delighted with the opportunity in to meet with South Tipperary Community Specialist Palliative Care Team and present an update on the Caru Programme. It was an opportunity to collaborate and engage with colleagues working in the community and supporting nursing homes in the delivery of palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care, proving that it is vital to stay connected and collaborate with all stakeholders within the community to strengthen skills and provide support to nursing home staff in their delivery of quality care
Advance Care Planning Presentation at Blainroe Lodge Nursing Home
Staff, residents, and families at Blainroe Lodge Nursing Home attended a presentation on advance care planning delivered by Regional Lead for CHO6, Mary Ferns.
The event was highly engaging and meaningful, with some residents even sharing their preferences and wishes for end-of-life care, inspiring family members to begin conversations with residents on this important topic.
Presenting Caru to Senior Management at Ceile Care
Sarah McDonald, Regional Lead for CHO2, presented the Caru Programme to Ceile Care senior management, including Margaret Wafer (Chief Executive), Fergus McNulty (Chairman), Valerie Ryan (Director), and many Directors of Nursing and Persons in Charge from CHO2.
It was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen relationships between our organisations, and to share how Caru empowers staff and promotes truly person-centred care in nursing homes.
Ceile Care continue to support and champion nursing homes in taking part in Caru Workshops, demonstrating real commitment to quality improvement and positive culture change.
It was great to see such strong engagement from Directors of Nursing, as they explored the meaningful impact Caru has on residents, staff, and care environments.
Engaging Dementia 17th International Dementia Conference
Siobhán Murphy, Director of Healthcare at IHF, accompanied by Ann Marie Murphy, Caru Regional Lead, CHO7, presented, End-of-Life Care Across the Continuum, Supporting Personalised Care Wishes at the Engaging Dementia 17th International Dementia Conference.
Siobhán explored how Irish Hospice Foundation supports best practice in palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care in all settings, detailing their Think Ahead resources. Siobhan highlighted that conversations are key, asking the audience to consider when having these conversations, ensuring the best time, using clear language, and seeking support where necessary. Equally important is to listen, clarify and always plan next steps.
Advance Care Planning with Ryevale Nursing Home
Ann Marie was also invited to speak to the Residents Committee Meeting at Ryevale Nursing Home regarding advance care planning.
Thirty residents and 30 staff members were present and explored experiencing loss and getting to know the residents better and understanding how they would like to be cared for.
Staff understanding the residents better can help and empower them to develop excellent future-care plans or what is the most important thing they want today or in the future.
"One resident explained that when his wife died, they had everything planned and done properly, and done right -- the way she wanted, and it was a better experience for the family. It was important to her that things were done right."
Ann Marie challenged the staff and residents to consider completing their own advance care plan.
Caru AIIHPC Project ECHO Nursing Home Knowledge Networks
Project ECHO networks continue underway in all nine CHO areas. Participant applications from nursing homes in all areas will continue to be accepted for the duration of the Caru Programme. Contact: echo@aiihpc.org to apply.